A wedding is usually a joyful occasion, but for an 18-year-old bride named Haneen and her 27-year-old groom, Revan, their celebration turned into a nightmare when a fire broke out at their wedding in Iraq’s Nineveh province, claiming over 100 lives, including many of their close family members and friends.

The fire, which occurred at a popular wedding hall in Qaraqosh, near Mosul, started in the ceiling, possibly due to a short circuit. Revan described how the fire quickly spread: “It only took seconds.” He also mentioned that there was a power cut before their first dance, after which he noticed flames spreading across the ceiling.

The groom had to rescue his wife as people were fleeing, and she sustained leg injuries. Authorities confirmed that the building had flammable materials, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The chaotic evacuation process also led to a greater loss of life.

Revan expressed the emotional toll of the tragedy, saying, “Inside we are dead. We are numb.” He and Haneen have decided to leave their hometown, as they feel unable to continue living there after such a devastating event.